SME Advice is the first on-demand virtual mentorship platform in South Africa where small businesses can connect with industry experts for business mentoring and advice.

Your session history and upcoming sessions are easily accessible from your dashboard. Simply navigate to the "Sessions" tab located on the left-hand side. This will display all relevant information for past and future sessions.

• Allow access: Before joining your call, check if your browser has permission to use your camera and microphone.
• Select your device (if applicable): If you have multiple cameras or microphones, you can choose the preferred one from a dropdown menu during permission setup.

After your video call, you'll have the chance to rate and review your Expert. You can also provide feedback on your overall platform experience.

• Convenience: Schedule, conduct, and manage your sessions directly through the platform.
• Security: Our platform has built-in features to keep your interactions safe and confidential.
• Quality Assurance: Using the platform allows us to monitor session quality and ensure a positive experience for everyone.

• Mute/Unmute Microphone: This button allows you to mute or unmute your microphone.
• Start/Stop Video: This button lets you turn your camera on or off.
• Share Screen: This button grants you access to share your entire screen or specific applications with others in the meeting.
• More Options: Clicking on the up arrow (^) provides additional controls, such as joining by phone, managing participants (if you're the host), recording the meeting, and accessing the chat.

• Bio: Write a brief introduction about yourself and your expertise. Highlight your experience and what makes you unique.
• Skills: List your skills and areas of knowledge. Use relevant keywords that clients might search for.
• Username: Choose a professional username that's easy to remember and reflects your brand.
• Industry: Indicate the industry you specialize in.
• Designation: Specify your job title or designation (e.g., CEO, Director).
• LinkedIn Profile Link: Include a link to your LinkedIn profile to showcase your experience in more detail.
• Creating a Session: Describe the session you provide.
• Price: Clearly state your pricing structure (e.g., hourly rate).
• Availability: Indicate your available times for sessions. You can mention specific days and hours.

While ending a session on time is important, it's also crucial to prioritize your client's needs. If an hour session runs long due to a productive conversation, consider these steps:

1. Acknowledge the time: Let your client know you're nearing the end of the scheduled session.
2. Gauge their interest: Ask if they'd like to wrap up or continue the discussion in another session.
3. Offer to schedule a follow-up: If they prefer more time, schedule another session to address their needs effectively.

By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth ending while respecting your client's time and maximizing the session's benefit.

Simply log into your profile and complete all the requested fields. Go to Account Settings, from there you will see the Price tab. That is where you can set up your pricing.

Yes, Security is a top priority for the SME Advice Platform. Here's what that means for you:

• Encrypted exchanges: All communication between you and the platform is encrypted. This means your data is scrambled during transfer, making it much harder for anyone to intercept it.
• POPI Act compliance: Your data is stored securely and handled according to the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act. This ensures your privacy is protected by law.

Yes. After each session, a message will be sent out to the client where they can review the session.

Our team reviews your career history to ensure it aligns with the category you'll be listed under. Once your credentials are verified, your profile will be approved. However, to become visible to users and start offering advice, you'll need to complete all your profile details. Make sure to finish your profile before your first session!

Become an SME Expert and share your expertise with entrepreneurs and SME business owners. You'll gain the flexibility to work when it suits you, and you'll solidify your position as an industry thought leader by sharing your knowledge on our platform.

Once you're approved as an SME Advice expert, head to your profile to complete your information. This helps potential clients understand your expertise and offerings. Here's what to fill in:

• Bio: Write a brief introduction about yourself and your expertise. Highlight your experience and what makes you unique.
• Skills: List your skills and areas of knowledge. Use relevant keywords that clients might search for.
• Username: Choose a professional username that's easy to remember and reflects your brand.
• Industry: Indicate the industry you specialize in.
• Designation: Specify your job title or designation (e.g., CEO, Director).
• LinkedIn Profile Link: Include a link to your LinkedIn profile to showcase your experience in more detail.
• Creating a Session: Describe the session you provide.
• Price: Clearly state your pricing structure (e.g., hourly rate).
• Availability: Indicate your available times for sessions. You can mention specific days and hours.

If you require assistance, please contact support@smesouthafrica.co.za

SME Advice takes a 20% service fee on all your appointment fees. This means we deduct that percentage from the total fees paid by the mentee before sending you the remaining amount.

For example, if you charge a R1 000 session fee, you'll receive R200 after our service fee is deducted.

T&C’s apply

Payments for your SME Advice sessions are handled securely through PayGate (Pty) Ltd, a trusted South African payment gateway. They accept major credit and debit cards (Mastercard/Visa) as well as EFTs from most South African banks.

When will I receive my payment?

Payments are made weekly once you've earned a minimum of R1,000 and completed all your booked sessions for that week.

T&C’s apply

The SME Advice Platform makes connecting with clients easy! Here's how it works:

1. Clients schedule sessions: Clients will schedule a session through the calendar on your profile.
2. Notifications and reminders: You'll receive an email confirmation with the appointment details, including the time, and the client's full name. The appointment will also be automatically added to your dashboard for easy reference.
3. Rescheduling: If you need to reschedule a session, you can easily do so by contacting the client directly through the chat or emailing our support team at support@smesouthafrica.co.za.

While SME Advice helps attract clients to the platform through marketing efforts, you can also take steps to boost your own visibility. Share your profile link on your social media accounts so that potential clients who follow you or see your posts can easily find you on SME Advice.

1. Go to your profile settings.
2. Look for the calendar availability section.
3. Block out specific times or days.
4. Set your general availability hours.

To qualify as a SME Advice Expert, it is mandatory to possess a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in the specific area or field of expertise. We value the expertise and knowledge that come with years of practical experience, as it enables experts to provide valuable guidance and support to aspiring entrepreneurs.

When registering as an expert on SME Advice, you will be required to submit specific documents that validate your qualifications. These documents serve as a means to ensure the credibility and expertise of our experts. Please note that the submitted documents are strictly confidential and are not made public. We prioritize the privacy and security of our experts' personal and professional information.

By maintaining these rigorous qualification standards, we aim to uphold the quality of mentorship provided on the SME Advice platform, enabling mentees to connect with experienced professionals who can offer valuable insights, guidance, and support on their entrepreneurial journey.

We're always looking for talented individuals to join our network of SME Experts. Sharing your knowledge and experience can empower the next generation of entrepreneurs!

Applying is easy!  Just complete your profile and provide the following information to qualify:

• LinkedIn Profile Link: Showcase your professional background and connect with potential clients.
• Experience: Briefly describe your relevant work experience.
• Field of Expertise: Let us know the area where you excel and can offer valuable guidance (e.g., marketing, finance, legal).

Don't worry, your privacy is important! We'll never share your personal information, such as your CV, publicly.  Once complete, your profile will be automatically submitted for review by our team.

The SMEAdvice Platform offers a streamlined process to become a mentor and share your expertise with entrepreneurs. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Apply Directly on the Platform: Look for the "Become an Expert" section on the Platform and submit your application.
• Create Your Expert Profile:  Set up a comprehensive profile that highlights your experience, qualifications, and the areas of business you can advise on.
• Submit for Approval: Once your profile is complete, submit it for vetting by the SME Advice team.
• Complete Your Approved Profile: After approval, you'll be notified to finalize your profile. This could involve adding details that enhance your visibility to potential clients, such as your areas of expertise.
• Start Engaging with Clients: Once your profile is complete, SME Advice will facilitate booking sessions between you and interested clients. All sessions are conducted within the platform for ease and security.

Onboarding Assistance

The SME Advice Platform understands the importance of getting you comfortable with the platform. We offer an onboarding call to familiarize you with all the functionalities and features you'll need to conduct successful mentoring sessions.

If a mentee pays for a session but does not book it with you, unfortunately, you will not receive compensation for that unbooked session.

We value our Experts' time and expertise! Our compensation structure recognizes this by rewarding Experts for the paid sessions they conduct. This ensures that Experts are supported for their active engagement in guiding entrepreneurs.

• Location: South Africa
• Industry experience: 10+ years
• Seniority level: Mid-level specialists and above
• Approach: Inclusive and welcoming to those of all backgrounds and cultures
• Mentorship experience: No previous mentorship experience is required. But we do ask that you genuinely want to help another person grow professionally.

Our platform conveniently tracks the duration of your session. You'll pay upfront for the consultation at your chosen rate and preferred payment method.

We carefully select our experts through a rigorous vetting process. All experts must have a strong track record in their field to ensure they can provide you with the best possible guidance.

• Topic: Identify the specific topic you need help with. This could be anything from accounting, and legal advice to marketing expertise.
• Industry: If your challenge is specific to a particular industry, finding an Expert with experience in that field can be beneficial.
• Name: If you already know a specific person you'd like to work with, you can search by name directly.

If you can’t get hold of your Expert via the SME Advice Platform, please email us at support@smesouthafrica.co.za

• Expert No-Show: If your expert doesn't show up for the meeting, you can cancel within 7 days and receive a full refund.
• Client Last-Minute Cancellation: If you, the client, need to cancel, you will be charged a 20% administration fee. To avoid this fee, cancellations must be made at least 7 days before your scheduled meeting.

To request a refund email support@smesouthafrica.co.za

T&C’s apply

Simply visit the Find an Expert page and navigate to the Experts' calendar. You can then click on your preferred date and time to schedule your session.

What's the cancellation policy?

We understand that schedules can change. You can cancel your session without penalty as long as you do so at least 7 days before the session. However, if you cancel after 7 days, a cancellation fee will apply.

T&C’s apply

• Step 1: Find Your Perfect Match

Browse through our curated selection of Experts. Each profile highlights their expertise and approach, so you can find the perfect fit for your needs.

• Step 2: Schedule Your Session with Ease

Once you've chosen your ideal Expert, simply select a date and time that works best for you from their available slots. The booking process is quick and convenient.

• Step 3: Confirmation & Reminders

You'll receive a confirmation email with all the session details as soon as your booking is complete. The Expert will also be notified. Additionally, we'll send you gentle reminder emails leading up to your session.

Important Note:

All sessions take place securely within our platform using audio/video call.

• Try a different device: If possible, switch to a device with a stronger internet connection.
• Reduce bandwidth usage: Close any unnecessary browser tabs or applications that might be consuming bandwidth.

Secure Payments

• All online transactions on the SME Advice Platform are processed securely through a third-party payment gateway.
• You can choose your preferred payment method: Mastercard, Visa, or EFT from major South African banks.

Appointment Fees

• The SME Advice platform will process and collect the appointment fee at the time you book your session.

T&C’s apply

1. Find your Expert: Browse by category or search for specific Experts based on your needs.
2. Choose a Session Time: Click on your chosen Expert's profile and view their availability to book a session that works for you.
3. Confirmation and Reminders: You'll receive a confirmation email once your session is booked. Reminders will be sent beforehand and on the day of the session.
4. Your Session: The session will take place entirely within our secure platform for a seamless experience.
5. Reschedule or Cancel:  Both you and the Expert can easily reschedule or cancel sessions directly through the platform.
6. Rate Your Expert: After your session, you'll have the opportunity to leave a rating and feedback for your expert.

Your experience matters! To share your thoughts on your recent session and the expert who assisted you, you'll receive an email within 24 hours inviting you to leave a review.

If you would like to send us direct feedback, please email support@startwise.co.za

If you are unhappy with the session you have received, please contact us at support@smesouthafrica.co.za. Refunds are possible within 7 days if the Expert is not available/unreachable to have a session with you.

Please see T&Cs

There are three convenient ways to reschedule your session:

• From your scheduled session: Look for a reschedule option within the platform where your session details are displayed.
• Chat with your mentor: Use the chat function available on the SME Advice platform to connect with your mentor and reschedule directly.
• Email: Send an email to your mentor through the platform or to the address provided by SME Advice.

Mentors on SME Advice are carefully vetted for credibility and professionalism, ensuring they understand and respect the confidentiality of your ideas.

Contact Startwise immediately to address your concerns. The platform takes such matters seriously and will investigate and take appropriate action.

 If you haven't booked a mentorship session within 30 days of subscribing, the subscription fee will be refunded to your wallet as credits.

Credits are a form of virtual currency within our platform that can be used for future transactions. If you haven't booked a session within the initial 30 days, the subscription fee is returned to your wallet as credits. These credits can then be applied when you decide to subscribe and book a session at a later time.

The credits in your wallet do not have an expiration date. You can use them whenever you're ready to book a session with a mentor. They provide you with the flexibility to choose a mentorship opportunity that aligns with your schedule and needs.

Yes, you can combine credits with other payment methods when booking a session. This flexibility allows you to make the most of your available resources for an enriching mentorship experience.

No, credits that are in your wallet cannot be refunded back to your original payment method. They can only be used for mentorship sessions or services within our platform.

When you're ready to resume your mentorship journey, simply navigate to the mentorship subscription page and select the mentor you'd like to work with. During the checkout process, you'll have the option to use your available credits to offset the subscription fee.

• Sync your Zoom account: Look for instructions within the platform on how to connect your Zoom account.

• Step 1: Find Your Perfect Match

Browse through our curated selection of Experts. Each profile highlights their expertise and approach, so you can find the perfect fit for your needs.

• Step 2: Schedule Your Session with Ease

Once you've chosen your ideal Expert, simply select a date and time that works best for you from their available slots. The booking process is quick and convenient.

• Step 3: Confirmation & Reminders

You'll receive a confirmation email with all the session details as soon as your booking is complete. The Expert will also be notified. Additionally, we'll send you gentle reminder emails leading up to your session.

Important Note:

All sessions take place securely within our platform using audio/video call.

Yes, If the expert can't make it, you can reschedule the meeting for a time that works for everyone.

Sessions can be up to 60 minutes starting from 30 minutes.

All mentoring sessions take place online for your convenience and safety. We use a secure video/audio conferencing system built directly into our platform, so there's no need to download any additional software.

• Sync your Zoom account: Look for instructions on your logged-in dashboard on how to connect your Zoom account.